Miley Cyrus’ New Tortoise Is a Reminder That Cozy Games Need Better Pets

You probably weren’t expecting to read about Miley Cyrus saving a tortoise, but that’s exactly what happened! With so much negativity in the news these days, it’s nice to hear a positive story. It reminded us of the cheerful pets you often find in video games, though when thinking of animal companions, most people immediately think of dogs, cats, horses, or even sailors (a strange thought!).

As a gamer, it really bugs me that so many games play it safe with pets! They could have so many different animals you could own, but usually it’s just the same old cats and dogs. It feels like a huge missed chance, especially in cozy games – you know, the farming sims and life simulators. I’m really hoping to see some more unique options soon. Seriously, where’s my pet tortoise or snake? It would add so much!

Cozy Games are Stuck in a “Cat or Dog” Monopoly

Pet Systems Could Use Some Work

Relaxing life simulation games, especially those with farming, are fantastic because you can customize almost everything – from your character’s clothes to how you design your home and spend your time. The only real downside is that the pets in these games aren’t usually very well-developed.

Many cozy and farming games limit pet options. Fields of Mistria only lets you have cats or dogs, while Potion Permit only offers a dog. Disney Dreamlight Valley‘s companions, though varied in appearance, don’t feel like truly unique animals. Animal Crossing: New Horizons players have even resorted to ‘capturing’ sea creatures to have companions, since the game doesn’t include pets. Even Stardew Valley, a popular farming sim, only has three pets – dogs, cats, and turtles – with other animals being either farm animals or used for riding. The new game Outbound allows dogs and rabbits, but that’s it. Nintendo previously found success with the Nintendogs series, and while a sequel with another punny title might be hard to create, a game called Nintendodos would have been welcome.

While cozy games aim for a sense of realism, they often present a perfected version of everyday life. It’s common to see things like rare or exotic animals that most people could never have as pets. Often, these in-game pets don’t actually do much – they’re more like decorative items. Adding a little more interaction for pets wouldn’t take up many resources, especially outside of games specifically focused on pet care, and would make the experience more enjoyable.

Reptiles and Exotic Pets Are Perfect for the “Cozy” Aesthetic

They Put The Slow In Cozy

Cozy games are designed to be relaxing and unhurried, deliberately slowing things down to eliminate stress. They offer a complete escape from daily worries by creating a calm and peaceful world. Even though they often have a lot to offer players, these games consistently feel calm and tranquil.

What kind of pet could complement the relaxing vibe of a cozy game better than a reptile – like a tortoise, gecko, or bearded dragon? Even a frog would be a good fit! Creating a terrarium, improving a heat lamp, or simply watching a slow-moving pet explore a virtual habitat could be really calming and unique. Gaming hasn’t really explored this idea much, leaving a big opportunity for a successful reptile pet simulation game. We’re ready for the ultimate reptile pet sim!

We’ve seen turtles appear in games from time to time, likely because they’re known for being slow. But reptiles offer a lot more variety than just turtles – and the possibilities for game characters are nearly endless.

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The Weirder, The Better; The Stranger, The More Unforgettable

Turn Nightmares Into Cozy Dreams

Game developers aren’t restricted to traditional pets and should feel free to experiment with unusual ideas. While it’s divisive, the 1999 Dreamcast game Seaman certainly made a lasting impact, something most pet simulation games fail to do. Sonic Adventure 2 included the Chao Garden, a charming little pet game that could have easily been expanded into its own full title. And then there’s Mister Mosquito, where you play as an annoying mosquito bothering a family – it’s definitely one of the stranger games out there.

Then you have TOMAK: Save the Earth Regeneration, a beloved but unusual game about caring for a goddess who grows from a plant. Over three years, you’ll need to help her grow by managing her stats, letting her sing into a microphone, and even feeding her hamburgers – directly into the dirt! If you don’t form a genuine connection with this intelligent plant, the other gods will destroy humanity. It’s a surprisingly high-stakes game, despite its relaxing premise.

Pokémon and Digimon are two of the most popular video game series of all time, both centered around collecting and training fantasy creatures—sometimes with battle elements. And sometimes, you just want to control a giant, missile-launching robotic dinosaur!

Miley Cyrus recently choosing a tortoise over a typical puppy highlights a trend we see in popular games. It’s not about cute appearances; it’s about the appeal of something different and calming, an animal that exists outside the hustle of everyday life. I’m not suggesting games need to be bizarre, but a pet that’s a little more unusual than a dog or cat could really help a cozy indie game get noticed.

I adore animals, and it’s always a plus when games let you interact with them. But when it comes to virtual pets, I think developers should aim for something much more than just a simple petting mechanic.

2026-05-26 18:37